Paper Sheet Recognition Apparatus Sensor Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper sheet recognition apparatuses require additional phases and longer detection times to generate high-resolution images, leading to increased operation time and decreased transport speed, which is not advantageous for handling performance.

Innovation Solution

A paper sheet recognition apparatus with a sensor configuration that includes first and second sensors with light emission units and optical sensors, where the third light emission unit emits light simultaneously with the detection of reflected light from a single light emission unit, allowing for the generation of a subtracted reflective light image without increasing detection time or decreasing transport speed, by controlling the phases and light emission units to detect both reflective and transmissive light efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional phases are added to alternately emit rays of light from two light sources to generate subtracted reflective light images, then measurement precision improves, but operation time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewrinkle detection precisionVSAvoidpaper sheet processing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light emission and detection operations into a single integrated sensor unit. The first sensor includes both first and second light emission units along with a first optical sensor, allowing simultaneous emission of rays of light in different directions and detection of reflected light without requiring separate phases or additional sensors. This merging eliminates the need for alternating light source operation while maintaining the capability to generate subtracted reflective light images for wrinkle detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The first sensor is designed with multi-functionality, serving both to emit rays of light in different directions (first and second light emission units) and to detect reflected light (first optical sensor). This universal sensor configuration allows the same sensor to perform multiple functions that previously required separate sensors and phases, thereby reducing operation time while maintaining measurement precision for wrinkle detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If detection time is extended to obtain high-resolution images through multiple phases, then manufacturing precision improves, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage resolutionVSAvoiddetection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing the first optical sensor to detect reflected light from both first and second light emission units simultaneously during a single operation cycle. The third light emission unit also emits light during this same cycle for transmissive light detection. This continuous simultaneous operation maintains high-resolution image quality while eliminating the time loss associated with sequential multi-phase detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Measurement precision

If transport speed is reduced to allow longer detection time for high-resolution imaging, then measurement precision improves, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage qualityVSAvoidpaper sheet transport speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the sensor system to adapt its operation mode based on the transport speed. The first sensor with its multiple light emission units and optical sensor can capture sufficient light data even at higher transport speeds due to the simultaneous emission and detection capability. This dynamic configuration allows the system to maintain measurement precision without being constrained by reduced transport speed, thereby improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus can generate a subtracted reflective light image without increasing detection time or decreasing transport speed, enhancing handling performance by simultaneously detecting light reflected from a single light emission and transmissive light, thus maintaining high-resolution image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a first light emission unit and a second light emission unit which emit rays of light from mutually different directions to the first recognition zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

a first optical sensor which detects light reflected from the paper sheet in the first recognition zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a third light emission unit which emits light to the second recognition zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 4

a second optical sensor which detects light transmitted through the paper sheet in the second recognition zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3425599B1Paper sheet identification device and paper sheet identification method
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 GLORY LTD
  • EP3425599B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425599B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP3425599B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure can provide a paper sheet recognition apparatus which can generate a subtracted reflective light image without increasing detection time. The operations of sensors (20, 30) are controlled in a plurality of phases. The phases include a phase (reflected infrared light 1) in which a light emission unit (22a) emits light, a light emission unit (22b) emits no light, and an optical sensor (21) detects reflective light, and a phase (reflected infrared light 2) in which the light emission unit (22a) emits no light, the light emission unit (22b) emits light, and the optical sensor (21) detects reflective light. In at least one of these phases, a light emission unit (24) emits light, and an optical sensor (31) detects transmissive light.